Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-11-10
CHAPTER III.

II Mr.. Renshaw INDUCED in any further
curiosity regarding the interior Of the
Pontiac he did not make his active re-
searches manifest to Rosey Nor, in spite
of her fathers invitation, did he again
approach the galley-a fact which gave
her her first vague impression in his favor.
He seemed also to avoid the various ad-
vauCes which Mr. Mott appeared impelled
to make whenever they met in the pas
sage but did SO without seemingly avoid
ing her, and marked his half CON
temptuous indifference to the elder Mott
by an increase of respect to the young
girl She would have liked to ask him
something about ships, and was sure his
conversation would have been more inter
esting than that OF old Capt, Bower, to
whose cabin he had succeeded, who had
once told her a ship was the devils hen
coop" She would have liked also to ex
plain to him that she was not in the habit
of wearing a purple bonnet. But her
thoughts were presently engrossed by an
experience which interrupted the even
tenor of her young life.
She had been, as she afterward remem-
bered, impressed with a nervous restless
ness one afternoon, which made it ilnpos-
sible for her to perform her ordinary
household duties, or even TO indulge her
favorite recreation of reading or castle
building. She wandered over the ship,
and impelled by the same vague feeling
of unrest. descended to the lower deck aud
the forward hulkhead where she had dis
covered the open hatch. 1t had not been
again disturbed, nor was there any trace
of further exploration. A little ashamed,
she knew not why, of revisiting the scene
of MIR. RenShaw's researches. she was
turning back, when she noticed that the
door which communicated with de Fer
rieres' loft was partly open. The circum-
stance was so unusual that she stopped
before it in surprise. There was no sound
from within; it was the hour when its
queer occupant was always absent: he
must have forgotten TO lock the door or IL
had been unfasteued by other hands.
After moment Of hesitation she pushed
it further open and stepped into the room.
BY the dun light of two portfolios she
could see that the floor was strewn and
fltSu with the contents OF n broken Dale
of curled horse hair, of which a few I'M
touched bales still remained against the
wall A heap Of morocco skins, some
already cut in the form of chair cushion
covers, and few cushions unfinished and
unstufTed lay in the light Of the ports,
and gave the apartment the appearance of
cheap workshop. 4 rude instrument
for eombing the horsehair, avis. buttons
and thread heaped on q small bench
showed that active work had been but
recently Interrupted A cheap earthen-
ware ever and basin on the floor, and a
pallet made of an opeu bale of horse hair,
on which a ragged quilt and blanket were
/ flung, indicated that the solitary worker
4 dwelt and slept beside his work
/ The truth flashed upon the young girls
active brain, quickened oy seclusion and
fed by solitary books. She read with keen
eyes the miserable secret of her fathers
strange guest in the poyer.y stricken
walls, in the mute evidences Of mental
handicraft performed N loneliness and
privation, in this riteesIs adaptation of an
accident TO save the conscious sham. of
premeditated toll. She knew now why he
had stsmmeringly refused to receive her
fathers offer 10 buy back the goods lie
had given him; she knew now how hardly
gained WAS the pittance that paid his rent